Full Breakdown
Adviser to U.S. Ambassador to Israel Solicits Cash Gifts for Wedding, Report Says
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Core Event: Invitation Requests Monetary Gifts
A recent Politico Playbook report indicates that David Milstein, an adviser to U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, distributed a Paperless Post wedding invitation that asked recipients for “monetary wedding gift[s]” in U.S. dollars or Israeli shekels and included a QR code for payment. The invitation was sent to a broad guest list rather than a limited circle of family and close friends. After Politico Playbook queried whether the White House had approved the solicitation, Milstein issued a revised note stating the original message was intended only for family and close friends and was unintentionally sent to a larger audience.
Background & Context: Role and Family Connections
Milstein holds a security-cleared advisory position in Ambassador Huckabee’s office and is the stepson of Fox News host Mark Levin. The report emerges amid a broader media dispute in which the Trump administration barred several outlets, including Politico, from covering the White House—a decision praised by Levin.
Official Statements & Responses
Mark Levin publicly defended Milstein, asserting that the invitation was a misunderstanding rather than a solicitation. Levin said Milstein was asked by family members worldwide about wedding gifts, responded that there was no formal registry, and offered an alternative option. Levin also claimed the email-message was meant for family and close friends but was mistakenly sent to a larger list.
Criticism & Opposition
The Politico Playbook investigation characterizes the invitation as a solicitation of cash gifts from Israeli citizens, describing the request as “monetary wedding gifts” and noting the inclusion of a QR code for direct payments. The report highlights the potential conflict of interest given Milstein’s security-cleared role and familial ties to a prominent media figure.
Verbatim Quotes
- “David was asked by family members, who live all over the world and throughout the country, about gifts for his upcoming wedding and if he was registered anywhere. David responded to requests by sending an email-message that there was no registration for gifts and suggested an alternative option,” — Mark Levin